OIG issues final rule implementing ACA exclusion authorities

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General today issued a final rule expanding its ability to exclude individuals or entities from federal health care programs, as authorized by the Affordable Care Act and other laws. The rule allows OIG to exclude individuals or entities for conviction of an offense in connection with obstructing an audit; failure to supply payment information; or false statements, omissions or misrepresentations of material fact in provider or supplier applications, among other provisions. Unlike the proposed rule, which included no time limit, the final rule limits the time period for initiating an exclusion action for fraud and other prohibited activities to 10 years.